Decorative faucet handle mounting apparatus

Abstract

A decorative faucet handle mounting apparatus includes an adapter having a first bore complimentrally shaped to the shape of a faucet stem. A second bore formed coaxially in the adapter cooperates with a fastener to attach the adapter to the faucet stem. A decorative handle has a longitudinal bore extending inward from one end which is engageable over the adapter. A perpendicular bore formed in the handle receives a threaded fastener engageable through the perpendicular bore with the adapter to secure the handle to the adapter.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A decorative faucet handle assembly for a faucet having an outwardly extending rotatable stem with a longitudinal, threaded bore formed therein, comprising: an adapter having a first bore complimentarily shaped to slidably fit in registry over the stem of a faucet;   a second bore formed in the adapter coaxial with the first bore and forming an extension of the first bore;   a first fastener means attachable to the faucet stem for fastening the adapter to the stem;   a decorative handle having a longitudinal handle bore extending inward from one end, the longitudinal handle bore being configured to be disposed in registry over the adapter;   a second bore formed in the decorative handle perpendicular to the longitudinal handle bore; and   a second fastener threadingly insertable through the second bore in the decorative handle into engagement with the adapter to secure the decorative handle to the adapter.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including two perpendicular bores formed in the decorative handle and two second fasteners threadingly insertable through each of the second perpendicular bores in the decorative handle. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first bore in the adapter is formed with a plurality of flat faces arranged in square cross section and matable with correspondingly arranged flat faces of a faucet stem. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first bore includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth matable with circumferentially spaced teeth formed on a faucet stem. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the circumfrentially spaced teeth are splines. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the adapter is formed of a ductile material. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the adapter has a circular exterior; and   the longitudinal handle bore in the decorative handle has a circular cross section slidably disposable over the exterior of the adapter.   
     
     
       8. A decorative faucet handle assembly kit for mounting a decorative faucet handle on a faucet having an outwardly extending, rotatable stem with a longitudinal threaded bore formed therein, the kit comprising: a plurality of adapters, each having first and second coaxial bores;   a decorative handle having a longitudinal handle bore extending inward from one end, the longitudinal handle bore in the decorative handle being configured to be disposed in registry over the selected one of the adapters;   a second bore formed in the decorative handle perpendicular to the longitudinal handle bore;   a fastener threadingly insertable through the second bore in the decorative handle into engagement with the selected one of the adapters to secure the decorative handle to the selected one of the adapters; and   wherein each of the plurality of adapters has a first bore formed of a shape selected from the group comprising a plurality of flat faces arranged in a square and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending teeth arranged in a circle.